[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 145 (Friday, July 27, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35675-35676]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16042]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Transportation Security Administration
Intent To Request Approval From OMB of One New Public Collection
of Information: Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) Flying Armed
AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.
ACTION: 60-Day notice.
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SUMMARY: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) invites
public comment on a new Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted
below that we will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
for approval in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The
ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected
burden. The collection involves gathering information from state, local
and tribal armed law enforcement officers (LEOs) who require
specialized screening at the checkpoint.
DATES: Send your comments by September 25, 2018.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be emailed to [email protected] or delivered
to the TSA PRA Officer, Information Technology (IT), TSA-11,
Transportation Security Administration, 601 South 12th Street,
Arlington, VA 20598-6011.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christina A. Walsh at the above
address, or by telephone (571) 227-2062.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq.), an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is
not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it
displays a valid OMB control number. The ICR documentation will be
available at http://www.reginfo.gov upon its submission to OMB.
Therefore, in preparation for OMB review and approval of the following
information collection, TSA is soliciting comments to--
(1) Evaluate whether the proposed information requirement is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility;
(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden;
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and
(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those
who are to respond, including using appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms
of information technology.
Consistent with the requirements of Executive Order (E.O.) 13771,
Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs, and E.O. 13777,
Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda, TSA is also requesting comments
on the extent to which this request for information could be modified
to reduce the burden on respondents.
Information Collection Requirement
TSA has broad statutory authority to assess a security risk for any
mode of transportation, develop security measures for dealing with that
risk, and enforce compliance with those measures.\1\
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\1\ See 49 U.S.C. 114.
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TSA's mission includes the screening of individuals, accessible
property, checked baggage, and cargo before boarding or loading on an
aircraft to prevent or deter the carriage of any explosive, incendiary,
or deadly or dangerous weapon on an aircraft. Under 49 CFR 1540.107,
individuals are required to submit to screening and inspection before
entering a sterile area of an airport or boarding an aircraft. The
prohibition on carrying a weapon, however, does not apply to LEOs
required to carry a firearm or other weapons while in the performance
of law enforcement duties at the airport. See 49 CFR 1540.111(b). In
addition, LEOs may fly armed if they meet the requirements of 49 CFR
1544.219. This section includes requirements for authorization to carry
the weapon; training for flying armed; validation of the need for the
weapon; notification requirements; prohibition related to consuming
alcohol, and appropriation location of the weapon.
TSA has established a specialized screening process for State,
local, and tribal LEOs when they are flying armed and need to go
through screening at the checkpoint. When this situation will occur,
LEOs are required to complete
[[Page 35676]]
TSA Form 413A, Checkpoint Sign-In Log.
Purpose and Description of Data Collection
The information collected on TSA Form 413A includes identifying
information on the LEOs; an affirmation that they are authorized to fly
armed on official business and that they have an operational need to
have their weapon accessible during the flight in accordance with 49
CFR part 1544; and identification of weapons they are carrying.
The information required by this form is used by the TSA Security
Operations Center and the Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshals Service
in order to have situational awareness of armed law enforcement
officer(s) presence on flights conducted by 49 CFR parts 1544 and/or
1546 regulated parties (aircraft operators and foreign air carriers).
This real-time situational awareness is necessary in the event of a
contingency on board the aircraft; such as but not limited to, a
disruptive passenger, air piracy, or other threat to the safety and
security of a commercial aircraft.
Respondents to this collection are State, local, and tribal police
officers travelling with their weapons. TSA uses historical data to
estimate 68,000 average annual responses. Each check-in requires
filling out a log book and TSA estimates this activity requires one
minute (0.0167 hours) to complete. TSA estimates this collection will
place an annual average hour burden of 1,133 hours on the public.
Use of Results
TSA will use the information to have situational awareness of the
presence of armed LEOs on flights conducted by 49 CFR parts 1544 and/or
1546 regulated parties (aircraft operators and foreign air carriers).
Dated: July 23, 2018.
Christina A. Walsh,
TSA Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Information Technology.
[FR Doc. 2018-16042 Filed 7-26-18; 8:45 am]
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